Montreal hosts Washington after Caufield's 2-goal performance

Updated Feb. 16, 2024 4:10 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Washington Capitals (23-21-8, seventh in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Montreal Canadiens (22-24-8, sixth in the Atlantic Division)

Montreal, Quebec; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens host the Washington Capitals after Cole Caufield scored two goals in the Canadiens' 7-4 loss to the New York Rangers.

Montreal is 11-14-3 in home games and 22-24-8 overall. The Canadiens have committed 239 total penalties (4.4 per game) to rank fifth in league play.

Washington is 23-21-8 overall and 10-12-3 in road games. The Capitals have a -36 scoring differential, with 124 total goals scored and 160 allowed.

Saturday's game is the third time these teams square off this season. The Canadiens won the previous matchup 5-2. Caufield scored two goals in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Caufield has 19 goals and 26 assists for the Canadiens. Nicholas Suzuki has seven goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.

Dylan Strome has 20 goals and 15 assists for the Capitals. John Carlson has six assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Canadiens: 3-6-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.2 assists, 5.1 penalties and 14.1 penalty minutes while giving up 4.2 goals per game.

Capitals: 2-6-2, averaging 2.6 goals, 4.8 assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.4 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Canadiens: Kirby Dach: out for season (knee), Christian Dvorak: out (pectoral), Jordan Harris: day to day (upper body), Rafael Harvey-Pinard: out (lower-body).

Capitals: Nicklas Backstrom: out (hip), Sonny Milano: out (upper body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.